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Environmental Education Expansion
SAVA Conservation environmental education activities have so far
primarily focused on the Andapa-Sambava part of the SAVA region, but
we are now moving to promote environmental education in the Anta-
laha area, in the southern part of the SAVA. The private botanical garden
of Macolline, located near the town of Antalaha, is owned and operated
by Madame Marie Helene Kam Hyo. For years she has overseen the
planting of native trees (such as rosewood, ebony, and pallisandre) as
well as non-native fruit trees and some fast growing exotic species. Alt-
hough by no means a mature forest, the small 10 hectare reserve is an
appealing natural area, which has considerable education potential. Ma-
colline is open to visitors, and includes a forest walk with well labeled
trees and an attractive interpretive center. The reserve is also open to
school groups, and as with other visitors, the school groups receive a
guided tour of the forested site and interpretive center. Unfortunately
the Macolline guides had not had the opportunity of formal training in
environmental education, which is where SAVA Conservation inter-
vened. In July of this year, we supported two guides from Macolline, Be-
lucien and Euphrasie, to attend a one week environmental education
training at Parc Ivoloina (managed by the Madagascar Fauna Group –
MFG) in Tamatave. SAVA Conservation project manager Lanto Andri-
anandrasana accompanied the two guides from Macolline, and also par-
ticipated in the training. The training was carried out
by the experienced MFG education staff of Mr. Niri-
na, Mr. Andre, and Mr. Gimod and included an ex-
change of experiences and instruction in techniques
and information used by the MFG education team,
based on what MFG has practiced around Parc Ivo-
loina and Betampona reserve for many years.
Belucien and Euphrasie returned to Antalaha and
Macolline with new information and ideas about
environmental issues, and how best to share that
information with students. Our goal is to impart
meaningful environmental education to as many
Malagasy students as possible, and the proximity
and easy access of Macolline to Antalaha makes it
an ideal site for class visits from the numerous local
schools.
Madame Marie Helene at her Macolline inter-
pretive center.
Photo by Karl Bates
by Charlie Welch, Lanto Andrianandrasana, and Dr. Erik Patel
Belucien, Lanto and Euphrasie at work in the Ivoloina Training
Center.